CDA may not be hosting a continuing education convention this fall, but dentists and dental professionals who are attending the ADA FDI World Dental Congress Sept. 5-7 in San Francisco can still stop by the CDA, TDSC and TDIC booths to ask friendly experts all of their questions, learn how to save on dental supplies, obtain free, no-obligation insurance quotes and much more.

If you’re attending the ADA’s annual meeting in September, be sure to come see The Dentists Supply Company. Visit booth 1945 of the exhibit hall to connect with TDSC experts, learn how to save big on supplies and play to win prizes.

CDA members are typically unfamiliar with the peer review process unless they have gone through it themselves or have served on a local peer review committee. Even those who are aware of peer review might not know that the program was recently enhanced to include informal mediation. The purpose of the peer review program is to resolve disputes between patients and dentists, focusing on disputes about the quality or appropriateness of dental treatment.

In June, The Dentists Supply Company’s online shopping site, tdsc.com, celebrated the second anniversary of its launch to CDA’s full membership Now, there’s a new milestone to celebrate: In July, tdsc.com reached $5 million in combined shopper savings driven by the recent expansion to association members in 47 states.

At the direction of the 2018 CDA House of Delegates, CDA has been working with the Dental Board of California to better understand the scope of practice for general dentists as it relates to the use of cosmetic agents such as Botox and dermal fillers. The house directed CDA to take this action to clear up confusion that arose from the creation of the Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery permit as it relates to the scope of cosmetic services general dentists may provide.

The August issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association reviews the persistent problem of dental anxiety in dentistry. Articles discuss ways to communicate effectively with fearful patients, the use of virtual reality exposure therapy in treating dental anxiety, and the assessment, diagnosis and management of dental phobia in children and adults.

The Dentists Supply Company is now available in 47 states, offering consistent and competitive supply pricing to more than 100,000 members of organized dentistry. More shoppers means more savings for practices of every size. And association members are enthusiastically sharing how consistent supply pricing, 24/7 online shopping convenience and authorized product sourcing have made tdsc.com one of their favorite ways to shop.

With The Dentists Supply Company’s expansion this year, members of organized dentistry nationwide are enjoying the benefits of collective buying power. Through tdsc.com, shoppers continue to see 20% average savings compared to MSRP* on dental supplies and small equipment. The online savings are often even greater when compared to the prices shoppers have been paying other suppliers.

The July issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association highlights the importance of dental practice safety and risk management. Articles discuss the legal ramifications of practicing unsafe dentistry, the proper choice and use of emergency medications and the use of checklists to improve patient safety.

As some dental practices in California continue to recover from the devastating effects of the 2018 wildfires, The Dentists Insurance Company advises dentists to be prepared for not only the 2019 wildfire season but also for the possibility of year-round wildfire threats. Making sure all practice records, including patient charts and accounts receivable, are backed up often with copies kept in cloud storage or an off-site location is an important step.

CDA made a bold move when it launched The Dentists Supply Company in 2017. CDA established TDSC as a subsidiary solely focused on helping association members reduce overhead, gain control and stay competitive in a dynamic marketplace. As TDSC celebrates the second anniversary of the site’s launch to CDA’s full membership, see how the company continues to grow and reach new milestones.

Dentists who are purchasing or starting a practice or making a change to their business structure should be aware of a new IRS requirement. As of May 13, 2019, only individuals with a tax identification number — either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number — may request an employer identification number.

The Dentists Supply Company has now launched in 47 states, offering consistent and competitive supply pricing to tens of thousands of members of organized dentistry. More shoppers means more savings for practices of every size. And member dentists are enthusiastically sharing how low costs, online convenience and confidence in product quality are making tdsc.com their favorite way to shop.

CDA Practice Support has identified two misprints in the 2019-20 Required Employment Poster Sets that were recently mailed to CDA members who are practice owners. To stay in compliance with state regulations, practice owners should download the correct California Minimum Wage notice and print the notice and affix it to page 4 of the 2019-20 poster set.

Fake invoices from at least one company are making the rounds in California, with several dentists contacting CDA for advice on how to handle the scam. The dentists, including CDA members in Bakersfield, Fresno and Los Angeles, report receiving invoices from Pinnacle Medical Supply for products that neither they nor any of their staff members ordered.

Members of organized dentistry in 47 states can now save significantly on dental supply purchases through The Dentists Supply Company. The national presence for TDSC follows three phased rollouts that started in late 2018 and marks the latest move to extend tdsc.com savings to all 50 states by the end of the year. “This is an exciting time for organized dentistry and dentists served by associations that are looking after their members’ best interests,” said Walt Weber, DDS, TDSC board chair.

CDA Practice Support has developed and published two new resources for practice owners who wish to help put their staff on the proper path to become a California-registered dental assistant. Both resources — “Steps to Becoming a California-Registered Dental Assistant” and “Helping Your Out-of-State-Trained Dental Assistant to become a California-Registered Dental Assistant” — are in a one-page format that is easy to follow.

Three new businesses — CommonBond, HR for Health and WEO Media — have been added to the lineup of CDA Endorsed Programs that have been thoroughly researched, vetted and approved by CDA. Endorsed Programs bring members the lowest prices on products and services that their practices need from vendors they can trust. Members can get more information about these and other Endorsed Programs at CDA Presents in Anaheim May 16-18.

By shopping tdsc.com, dentists continue to see 20% average savings through tdsc.com compared to the manufacturers’ suggested retail price*. However, the TDSC difference is often greater when compared to the actual amounts practices have been paying elsewhere. CDA members are seeing how tdsc.com prices can be lower and more stable than their invoiced prices from other suppliers.

Every practice will come across a debt that needs to be sent to an agency, but such debt should be the exception to the rule. The goal should be to prevent accounts past due, not to collect on them. Start with good policy. A financial policy is pertinent to a practice’s success, and practices should have both internal and external financial policies.

CDA Practice Support introduces a new, secure online submission process for dentists to use to report issues with dental benefits plans. By streamlining the intake process, this form will make it easier for practicing dentists to quickly reach out for assistance and submit issues at their own convenience. To receive assistance, simply submit your issue electronically using the new submission form available online within your cda.org account.

Can your practice do good while also doing well? Yes it can! Let The Dentists Supply Company help you save big on green products from trusted brands. As a CDA member, you can shop online for eco-friendly supplies at negotiated discounts, plus free shipping, every day. Just look for the orange leaf icon next to select TDSC supplies or visit tdsc.com/ecofriendly to explore.

On April 1, tripartite members in three additional states gained access to significant dental supply savings through tdsc.com, the shopping site of CDA’s newest subsidiary The Dentists Supply Company. Access and savings will reach another 10 states in May, meaning that over two months tdsc.com will effectively double its footprint with savings reaching approximately 40,000 new association members.

Of the nearly 3,500 professional liability claims The Dentists Insurance Company addressed between 2012 and 2017, many could have been avoided or mitigated had the dentist been more cautious about choosing which patients to accept into care. “Being selective in the patients you see goes a long way in avoiding trouble down the road,” said Taiba Solaiman, senior TDIC Risk Management analyst.

Dentists and other health care providers are encouraged to attend Health Information Technology After Meaningful Use — a statewide conference happening May 13 in Sacramento and hosted by CalHIPSO, an organization formed through a partnership of the California Medical Association, the California Primary Care Association and the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems.

When members of organized dentistry purchase supplies through The Dentists Supply Company, they can rest assured that the products are authentic and supplied by a trusted, authorized source. In other words, there are no gray-market goods that could risk patient safety. As small-business owners, it’s important for dentists to make informed decisions about the products they purchase for their practices and patient care.

The Dentists Supply Company continues to grow and offer CDA members unparalleled savings. In fact, shopper savings on dental supplies through tdsc.com have already surpassed $3 million dollars. And the site’s top 10 California shoppers have collectively saved $150,000 so far.* While this membership benefit is helping dentists to see a big difference in supply dollars, it’s not the only reason members are shopping tdsc.com.

The Dentists Insurance Company reports several calls to its Risk Management Advice Line from practice owners facing irate patients. Typically, these cases stem from patients who are upset over unplanned expenses, treatment plans they consider unnecessary, failure to achieve expected results from cosmetic procedures or a dentist’s refusal to practice outside the standard of care when a patient attempts to dictate treatment.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Without intervention, this infectious disease can cause lasting impacts on total health and quality of life, even into adulthood. By encouraging little patients and their parents to take an active role in preventive care and by creating comfortable dental visits, your team can help establish good lifelong oral health habits.

A new app developed by the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology emphasizes the early detection of and quick response to medical emergencies that can occur in the dental office. The app allows dentists and their staff to keep track of drug doses and expiration dates and use patient information to calculate personalized drug doses. Crisis checklists assist in providing appropriate interventions with flow charts that evaluate emergency events.

“I need more patients” is a statement I’ve heard often from dentists throughout my career. While new patients are undeniably important to a practice’s success, practice owners should be aware of opportunities they may already have within their existing patient base. According to recent research, the average dental office in America has just a 65 percent patient retention.

All HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates are required to conduct an initial comprehensive security risk assessment to identify “potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information. Small- to medium-sized health care practices with one to 10 providers now have an upgraded tool that is specifically designed to assist them with completing this assessment.

As the dental benefits analyst for CDA Practice Support, my job is to help dentists navigate the ever-changing dental benefits marketplace, and this entails clearing up misconceptions that could place a dentist at risk. In my conversations with dentists who are selling or buying a practice, I’ve found some misconceptions concerning billing dental benefit plans following the sale of a practice.

The Dentists Supply Company’s announcement of its Western-states expansion in November generated publicity in several national dental publications and a regional business journal. The articles highlighted the expanded supply offerings to nine additional states, allowing association members of organized dentistry to benefit from 20 percent average savings on a broad online catalog of supplies. Interim CEO Jim Wiggett spoke with news publications to give insight on how TDSC is making its mark in the $10 billion dental supply industry. Here’s what Wiggett said about tdsc.com.

With The Dentists Supply Company’s recent expansion, members of organized dentistry in 10 states are now enjoying collective buying power on dental supplies through tdsc.com. Shoppers continue to see 20 percent average savings compared to MSRP; however, the online savings are often even greater when compared to the prices they’ve been paying other suppliers.

A new state law requires that tamper-resistant prescription forms for controlled substances have unique serial numbers. These numbers will be linked to corresponding records in California’s prescription-drug monitoring program known as CURES. The requirement is part of Assembly Bill 1753 signed into law last September. New prescription forms should be ordered from a “serial # compliant printer” as indicated on the DOJ’s website.

The Dentists Supply Company continues to expand its online catalog of supplies and small equipment to meet the needs of its growing shopper base. The selection spans everything from adhesives to X-ray materials, plus a few new items designed to bring smiles to the entire practice team. Newly added to tdsc.com is a TDSC Merchandise category that includes fun items to wear and give.

In a dental economy dominated by PPOs, dentists are looking for ways to encourage patients, particularly those with limited coverage or no coverage at all, to seek the care they need. According to the ADA, access to dental insurance is the No. 1 predictor of a dental visit due to the patient’s ability to offset their out-of-pocket expense for oral health care.

If you’re like many dentists, you’ve got a multifaceted role as practitioner, practice leader and entrepreneur. With your CDA membership, valuable support comes through tools and expertise available online, by phone and at association events. From protecting your property to streamlining paperwork, tap into dentistry-focused business solutions, starting with these six.

CDA members racked up $2 million in total savings on dental supplies in 2018 through tdsc.com, the shopping site for CDA’s newest subsidiary, The Dentists Supply Company. The $2 million savings milestone reached in September demonstrates the tremendous member interest in TDSC and doubled the $1 million savings milestone that members reached in May.
On the heels of that savings milestone came two major announcements about plans for 2019.

Navigating the ever-changing dental benefit marketplace can be a full-time job. CDA member dentists may already know that dental benefit assistance is available to them through CDA Practice Support. However, dentists may find it hard to break away from dentistry to reach out for assistance. Conveniently, dental office staff are welcome to ask Practice Support questions on dentists’ behalf.

What could your practice do with an extra $10,000 each year? For many dental practices, supplies now commonly equate to 6 7 percent of collections. An office with $800,000 in income that spends 6.5 percent on supplies ($52,000) could save $10,400 per year by cutting 20 percent of its supply costs. The online shopping site tdsc.com continues to trend at 20 percent average savings compared to MSRP.

There is still a great misunderstanding about the spread of one of the most feared diseases in U.S. history — HIV. Unlike the flu or common cold, there is little, if any, risk of spreading the HIV virus in the dental setting as long as appropriate precautions are taken. In California, patients with HIV are protected under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of medical condition, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability, among other factors.

The Dentists Supply Company has announced plans to roll out access to its shopping site, tdsc.com, to tripartite members in nine Western states. The rollout is the first phase of TDSC’s nationwide expansion, which will allow members of organized dentistry to benefit from 20 percent average savings on a broad online catalog of supplies from authorized vendors, plus free shipping.

Through The Dentists Supply Company, a CDA subsidiary, shoppers continue to see an average savings of more than 20 percent compared to manufacturers’ suggested retail prices. While that level of supply savings has attracted many CDA members to tdsc.com, it’s how the difference is stacking up over time that’s really impressive. Members have already saved more than $2 million dollars on dental supplies through the site, and they’re on track to save a half million more by the end of the year.

Whether you recently purchased a practice with paper charts or have been maintaining your own paper chart system, you have probably considered going paperless. The average front-office team using paper charts spends nearly 25 percent of its time locating, filing and reviewing charts. By contrast, a paperless system increases office efficiency and provides cost savings. If you think you’re ready to go paperless, here’s how to get started.

When considering a purchase, dentists rated “quality” as the most important attribute of dental suppliers. In fact, this attribute was rated the leading factor by 64 percent of dentists in 2017. By 2018, quality was still at 53 percent, but price had grown from 19 percent to 22 percent. The good news is that practices don’t have to sacrifice the supplies they love or the brands they trust to control costs.

The Federal Trade Commission recently unveiled Operation Main Street: Stopping Small Business Scams, a “coordinated law enforcement and education effort” involving state and federal partners as well as the Better Business Bureau. As part of this effort, the FTC, jointly with state attorneys general and U.S. attorneys’ offices, announced 24 actions involving “defendants who allegedly perpetrated scams against small businesses” over the past year.

In most areas of practice, dentists want their offices to exceed expectations. The friendliest staff. The best treatment outcomes. The happiest patients. However, your practice should endeavor to conform to the norm in at least one area: overhead expense ratios. Managing variable expenses, like dental supplies, means that your practice can keep more of what it earns.

Recent polls and research suggest that 50-80 percent of resumes submitted by job applicants contain false or inaccurate information about the applicants’ job history or qualifications. Employers who are not already conducting careful reference checks may be more inclined to do so when faced with such an alarming statistic. Checking references is a small step in the hiring process that can provide significant value to employers.

Have you heard the story about the woodcutter who was so busy chopping down trees that he didn’t take time to sharpen his ax? Perhaps you’ve even become a woodcutter in your own practice. It can be challenging to exit the whirlwind of activity to take the steps that make your practice more effective and efficient. The good news is that there are opportunities to sharpen your ax every day — especially when it comes to cost reduction and inventory control.

Sixty percent of consumers conduct online research before going to a business’ website to weigh a purchase decision. Even if you have a new top-of-the-line site, people may never make it there if they don’t like what they see on popular review sites. If you don’t have an online presence or are questioning how strong it is, there are many simple steps you can take to begin creating a more favorable digital reputation for your practice.

With the optimal cost of dental drugs and supplies averaging 6 to 8 percent of collections, focused purchasing can have a significant impact on practice efficiency and net operating income. When seeking to control supply costs, there are four key areas of opportunity: managing inventory, improving purchasing habits, renegotiating pricing and adding suppliers.

CDA’s newest subsidiary, The Dentists Supply Company, is coming to CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco. At the Member Benefits Center inside the convention’s exhibit hall, attendees will be able to experience tdsc.com, a site designed to deliver members savings and free shipping on dental supplies. The TDSC team will also be on-site with exciting promotions and giveaways exclusive to the San Francisco convention.

This September at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco, The Spot Educational Theater will host free one-hour lectures nearly every hour on the hour beginning at 10 a.m. all three days of the convention. Among the scheduled lecturers are CDA Practice Support’s four analysts who provide expert guidance in the areas of dental benefits, employment practices, practice management and regulatory compliance.

In your life outside the practice, you’re constantly confronted with the choice between name brands and alternate brands. Whether you’d consider that “other” carton generic, private label, house brand or alternate, the difference may be more in your perception than in the product. How much does your perception of quality and value factor into your purchasing decisions? And what steps can you take to determine the best selections, both for your home and dental office?

When it comes to inventory management, in addition to assigning accountable individuals to specific roles, be sure that documented expectations are included in your onboarding and training processes. As you organize your inventory system, here are three efficiencies to consider.

Many practices rely on a single point person for inventory control, and the role tends to default to a dental assistant. However, inventory is not a task but rather a system — one that needs the right point person for some processes and the whole team for others. As with most processes, practice leadership must establish, document and assign specific roles and responsibilities. Here are four inventory management roles and guidance for filling them.

The Dentists Insurance Company’s Risk Management Advice Line recently received a call from a practice that was dealing with a case of mistaken identity for same-name patients. The caller actually represented two practices: a pediatric dentistry office and an orthodontic office, which were managed separately but shared a common patient waiting area. Two patients named Haley were scheduled for treatment at the same time — one in each office.

Searching for better prices can seem like a daunting process, even with the convenience of 24/7 shopping sites in place of brick-and-mortar stores or paper catalogs. How can you efficiently evaluate your ordering and find ways to save? Ask an expert to do it for you. CDA’s newest subsidiary, TDSC, an online source for dental supplies, has a team that will research and compare prices for members through a no-cost, no-obligation service.

CDA Practice Support receives many member calls about refunding payments. Most often, these are refund requests to dental plans or patients due to quality of care and billing errors. Sometimes members ask about refund requests for treatment rendered to a recently deceased family member. The starting point for any refund request is having a comprehensive financial agreement and financial policy in place for your practice.

Four experienced CDA Practice Support analysts are available to assist members with matters related to dental benefit plans, employment law and human resources, regulatory compliance and practice management. These specialized experts provide one-on-one guidance by email and phone and speak on timely topics at CDA’s biannual education convention. Together they’ve developed a full library of online resources that they expand upon and update throughout the year.

TDSC, an e-commerce site that offers discounts on dental supplies for association members in California, is helping to shake up the $10 billion dental equipment market by offering dentists a higher level of control over their supplies. The site, which hit a $1 million milestone in shopper savings in May, is garnering media attention from national dental publications and regional business journals. Read what the media is saying about tdsc.com.

The June Journal of the California Dental Association paints a picture of millennial dentists — dubbed “dentennials” — through articles co-authored by the dentists themselves. Articles discuss their experiences in dentistry, the best methods for educating their generation, the four millennial personality types found in dental schools, the dental generation gap and dentennials who practice in small towns.

Through tdsc.com, a website designed to deliver group purchasing discounts on dental supplies to CDA members, shoppers are seeing 20 percent average savings compared to manufacturers’ suggested retail prices.

The shared strength of organized dentistry supports members in almost every aspect of their professional lives: a louder voice in government, exceptional insurance coverage due to a broad premium base and exciting conventions with hundreds of educational opportunities to serve thousands of attendees. Now, the newest benefit of membership is delivering direct benefits. The TDSC Marketplace, an online source for dental supplies, shares savings that leverage collective buying power.

Spring is a prime time to deep clean your practice and tie up any loose ends from the previous year. It’s also a great opportunity to review your patient records and ensure all files are accurate and current. Here are some things to consider when revisiting patient charts. If you find something is missing, review the chart with your patient at their next visit.

The May Journal of the California Dental Association explores a variety of topics, including a strategy to make eHealth relevant to dentistry, an update on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, the effects of mixed-dentition orthodontic treatment and a study of how dentists learn by combining evidence and experience.

When CDA’s subsidiary The Dentists Service Company launched the TDSC Marketplace last year, it was with a bold mission: to deliver practice-changing savings on dental supplies to CDA members. Learn more about this new member benefit at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in Anaheim May 17–19. Stop by CDA’s Member Benefits Center in booth 1102 of the convention exhibit hall, where the Marketplace team will showcase the site and help attendees “test drive” features.

When balancing your practice’s dental supply budget, it can seem like there’s never a good time to allocate dollars to upgrade, enhance or add to your equipment. Relatively small equipment can come with a significant price tag. So how do you discern when to purchase higher-dollar items and how to get the most value?

CDA is sponsoring new legislation that will allow dentists who provide care in the Medi-Cal dental program to be reimbursed when using silver diamine fluoride as a caries arresting agent. With the passage of Senate Bill 1148, SDF will be placed in dentists’ tool belts as an evidence-based option to manage dental caries when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, particularly beneficial with patients who present challenges to receiving traditional treatment.

Also known as “the law of the vital few,” the Pareto principle is often expressed as 80 percent of effects coming from 20 percent of causes. You’ve likely observed this phenomenon in your own practice — whether it’s a large percentage of revenue coming from a relatively small number of procedures or a high percentage of new patients coming in from one of your many marketing efforts. However, one of the areas in which the Pareto principle is most evident is in your dental supply budget.

The April issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association reports on current advances in endodontic treatment procedures. Articles discuss the management of bacterial contamination in the root canal system, improvements in the visualization of the tooth-bone complex through cone beam computed tomography and the replacement of necrotic pulpal tissue in developing immature teeth.

The ADA on March 26 adopted a new policy to combat the opioid epidemic, calling it the potential first of its kind by a major health professional organization to support mandates on opioid prescription limits and continuing education. “I call upon dentists everywhere to double down on their efforts to prevent opioids from harming our patients and their families,” said ADA President Joseph P. Crowley, DDS, in a press release. The Interim Board Policy on Opioid Prescribing addresses continuing education, dosage and duration, and prescription and drug monitoring.

Your purchasing decisions make a significant impact on both your bottom line and how your office team allocates its time. In fact, the details revealed in just a single order can help you understand true costs, control overhead and streamline operations. The TDSC Marketplace is a new source for dental supply savings for CDA members. Here, an actual order from a current Marketplace shopper is broken down to highlight strengths and opportunities for further efficiencies.

Having an up-to-date, legally compliant manual can play a critical role in helping employers follow new employment laws and manage employees in the practice. CDA Practice Support is pleased to share that the Sample Employee Manual, a downloadable resource for members, has seen a transformation in 2018. Aside from a reorganization of the contents, the revised manual contains more than a dozen new and revised policies.

In today’s world, we are often bombarded with junk mail, making it easier to overlook an important notice from a benefit plan that could upset the way a dental practice does business. This is why it is essential for an office to establish a protocol for reviewing benefit plan mailers in a timely manner.

One year after clicking the “place order” button to purchase dental supplies online through The Dentists Service Company’s Marketplace, James Stephens, DDS, added up his 12-month savings — $13,000 total. After a successful testing phase, the TDSC Marketplace was launched last June as a free benefit to all CDA members in response to members’ desire to have more control over their practices, including the ability to compete with large group practices that negotiate supplies at lower prices than solo practice owners.

In their day-to-day practice, dentists and their teams must know and comply with federal, state and local laws — from the layered requirements of federal and state employment laws to the dentistry-specific California Dental Practice Act to local laws that enforce building codes. A first resource for dentists to help them navigate these laws is the Legal Reference Guide for California Dentists, updated and published in January by the CDA Practice Support experts.

It’s no secret that CDA and its family of companies are home to some of the brightest specialists supporting dentistry today. And their expertise is just a call or email away for CDA members. But where should members turn for what kind of support? Here’s your quick-start guide to accessing expert advice.

In the second of a two-issue series, the February issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association continues the exploration of silver diamine fluoride. Featured are articles on how a pediatric dentist incorporated silver diamine fluoride into his practice; the use of SDF to care for elderly and brain failure patients; and the chemical mechanisms of SDF when used as a caries arresting and preventing agent among other articles.

While you may not suffer from metathesiophobia, the persistent and unwarranted fear of change, you might still get palpitations when leaving your “comfort zone.” Change can sometimes create feelings of anxiety and insecurity in even the most seasoned dentists and harmonious practice teams. See how proven change management principles can be applied within a dental practice.

A free mobile app by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can assist dental facilities in monitoring their compliance with recommended infection control practices. The CDC DentalCheck app automates an infection prevention checklist and allows dental health care providers to “easily move throughout the practice as they evaluate their compliance with recommended infection prevention practices.”

Through the TDSC Marketplace, a benefit of CDA membership, shoppers are seeing an average savings of more than 20 percent compared to manufacturers’ suggested retail prices. While the savings have attracted many CDA members, some still have questions about changing their supply sources. The TDSC Marketplace team took a thorough look at a practice based in Rocklin, Calif., to see how product selection and real-world savings stacked up.

Hiring an associate brings the opportunity to lighten workloads and potentially drive in new business. But as with any relationship, both parties may eventually agree to part ways. In worst-case scenarios, the split may not be amicable and your patients and practice as a whole may suffer unwelcome consequences.

Throughout the business week, CDA Practice Support experts answer questions submitted by members via the “Ask an Expert” feature. Staff then answer and archive the question online for the benefit of other members. But occasionally, a question or the recurrence of questions along the same theme prompts the need for a deeper probe. In one such question, a dentist expressed concern about a patient’s cognitive health — and with whom she was allowed to discuss it.

With a growing diversity in practice models, including an increase in dentists working as employees or contractors and a decrease in practice ownership, there is no denying that the business challenges for dentists across the nation continue to grow as well. Feeling the combined impacts of dental benefit pressures, growing market competition and the rapid expansion of large group practices, CDA members voiced a need for more control.

Significant changes have occurred over the last 10 years in advertising and internet marketing, which means dental practices must adjust their strategies to reach potential patients. This May at CDA Presents Anaheim, author and international speaker Rita Zamora will lead two lectures designed to help dentists or their staff market their practice effectively through social media — no matter their current knowledge or skill level.

In the first of a two-issue series, the January issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association explores silver diamine fluoride. Articles include a review of the history and use of silver diamine fluoride in dentistry, a discussion about the role silver diamine fluoride plays in the chronic disease management of caries in children and more.

Whether you prefer a digital organizer or a fresh paper calendar, you’ll be more efficient in the new year by taking a few minutes now to plan to take advantage of all of your CDA membership benefits in the months to come. In addition to vacations and staff birthdays, mark the dates for association events, compliance deadlines and practice reminders. Discover even more membership value, protection and support all through the year.

The Dentists Service Company’s newly developed online shopping site provides an easy-to-use shopping experience while leveraging the buying power of CDA’s 27,000 members to offer significant savings. In addition to free shipping and an average savings of 20 percent, Marketplace shoppers can enjoy a number of features, including subscription ordering and saved lists, that make purchasing efficient.

Regulatory changes have occurred since the printing of the 2017-18 CDA Required Poster Set. As of December 2017 the three changes are: an updated Wage Order 4-2001 to reflect increases in the state minimum wage; a “Transgender Rights in the Workplace” poster that must be posted beginning Jan. 1, 2018; and an updated “Safety and Health Protection on the Job” notice.

With the recent increase in X-ray machine registration fees, CDA reminds members to ensure their registrations are up to date. CDA Regulatory Compliance Analyst Teresa Pichay cites recent calls from dentists who were surprised to receive past-due bills for registration fees dating as far back as eight years, and she cautions dentists that “not receiving a bill does not exempt a facility with X-ray equipment from paying the registration fees.”

Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, the hourly minimum wage for employers with 25 or fewer employees will increase to $10.50 per hour. For employers with 26 or more employees, the minimum wage will increase to $11 per hour. Employers with exempt employees should evaluate employee salaries, as exempt employees in California generally must earn a minimum monthly salary of no less than two times the state minimum wage for full-time employment.

The Dentists Service Company offers member-exclusive group purchasing discounts on 25,000+ items through the TDSC Marketplace. And through an exciting limited-time promotion, every Marketplace shopper who places an order by Dec. 31 will be entered to win one of ten $100 Visa gift cards. The top 100 spenders will be entered to win the grand prize: a vacation to a dream destination (a $4,000 value).*

Unemployment rates are historically low and candidates have more employment choices than ever. Even if your practice is fully staffed, it’s not uncommon for the best employees to be enticed to leave by competitors. In my work with TDSC member-clients, I strongly recommend building a talent pipeline to help win the quest for talent.

As a member benefit, CDA Practice Support offers an easy-to-display poster set that contains all the latest health, safety and employee rights information practice owners need to post to comply with state and federal agency regulations.

With a single annual renewal, you can continue to experience the benefits of the ADA, CDA and your local dental society. Your ongoing participation in organized dentistry allows you to leverage dedicated legislative advocacy, expertise navigating the business side of dentistry and innovative tools to save time and money in your practice.

When The Dentists Service Company launched its online shopping site for dental supplies to CDA members earlier this year, it was with a commitment to make purchasing easier and more affordable for practices of every size. The TDSC Marketplace was also designed to allow dentists and their office staff to procure supplies across categories with confidence in the source and quality of every item.

You take time to build relationships with your patients and plan long-term treatment success. But what happens when a patient has “a better idea” of what should happen midtreatment? Though many patients desire a sense of control in their dental care and want to exercise choice, the trouble happens when a patient attempts to dictate clinical decisions. TDIC has seen a recent trend in the number of patients who are requesting their restorations simply be handed over to them.

Greg Alterton is approaching his 16-year anniversary with CDA. He worked in the CDA Public Policy Division for 13 of those 16 years, where he was involved in developing dental benefits legislation sponsored by CDA. He has assisted individual members directly with their dental benefit issues while in Public Policy and during the past three years with CDA Practice Support. He retires from CDA at the end of 2017.

A $295 million settlement has been reached on behalf of a nationwide class of Stericycle customers, following a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of engaging in a price-increasing scheme that automatically inflated customers’ bills up to 18 percent biannually, according to a news release from Hagens Berman, the Chicago-based law firm that represented the class.

With the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Oct. 26 declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency, CDA reminds dentists, who prescribe approximately 11 percent of prescription opioids annually, of the resources available to them. CDA’s online opioid resource guide at cda.org/opioid is regularly updated with links to resources as they are published.

CDA members already know firsthand that their membership benefits can support them in navigating the business side of dentistry. From Practice Support resources to insurance products designed only for dentists, a full suite of tools is available to help practices be more competitive and efficient. Members also have access to programs that leverage CDA’s size and strength to save them money on dental supplies, insurance and education.

At the recent CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry convention in San Francisco, Steve Yun, MD, provided an enlightening and practical examination of dental anesthesia and patient safety in his course Myths and Errors in Dental Anesthesia: Avoiding Office Disasters. In this interview, Yun shares his top tips for enhancing patient safety during dental anesthesia.

Jammed schedules, late patients, lunchtime meetings, excess overtime, early morning staff huddles, meal and rest break requirements: All can tempt practice owners to find myriad creative ways to manage employee costs. This article, part 2 of a two-part series, covers compensation for time worked; payment of overtime; meal and rest break requirements; and the requirements of paying for education and travel.

When I started practicing dentistry in 1979, our office took out a small ad on the back of the Pennysaver. No special offer or promotion, just a few lines about how we provided great dental care. That bit of newsprint drove 65 new patients a month to our Orange, California, office. Of course, that tactic couldn’t yield the same results today. So, what’s changed?

The savings were so significant the first time Richard Barnes, DDS, and his staff compared dental supply prices on the TDSC Marketplace that they thought there had been a mistake. Barnes, a Visalia dentist with three offices, including a surgery center, compared Marketplace prices to what he regularly paid for supplies and saw a 25 percent savings. Barnes is among the growing number of CDA members purchasing dental supplies online through the TDSC Marketplace, a shopping site that offers discounts based on the buying power of the association’s large membership.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, employers of every size will be required to register with the Employment Development Department’s e-Services for Business and file all wage reports and employment tax returns and pay all contributions for unemployment insurance premiums electronically. The electronic filing requirements of Assembly Bill 1245 are intended to increase the accuracy and security of data and improve the processing speed of returns and payments.

CDA Practice Support and The Dentists Insurance Company are receiving an increasing number of calls from members on the subject of obtaining medical clearance for patients who have certain chronic conditions such as diabetes or are undergoing certain therapies. TDIC warns dentists that the medical clearance process is misleading because it implies that the patient is “cleared” for treatment.

Your practice needs the entire team to be sharp and focused for the schedule to run smoothly, so if you’ve ever had an employee show up in the morning unable to perform duties, you can expect to have both a hard conversation and a long day. The impact of an employee’s substance abuse on a practice extends beyond impaired performance and productivity.

The rise in the number of dental school graduates equates to more dentists in both group and solo practices in your local area. And that means more choices for consumers, who are becoming even more discerning and have the digital tools to do so. How, then, does a practice grow and retain its patient base when the competition is fierce?

In California alone, opioid-related deaths from 2002 to 2014 were up almost 30 percent, and dentists prescribe up to 12 percent of all opioid prescriptions in the U.S. In light of these alarming statistics, the Dental Board of California in August 2017 finalized and adopted a policy statement recognizing the epidemic of opioid abuse in the U.S.

In one handy place, CDA members can find the details, deadlines and resources they need to ensure their practice complies with upcoming laws and regulations. Check out “Are You in Compliance?” on the CDA Practice Support homepage.

The Dentists Insurance Company has received and is currently working to resolve several claims against its policyholders related to the unauthorized use of proprietary software code on the policyholders’ dental practice websites. The claimant asserts the policyholders have committed copyright infringement by using, without permission, copyright-protected software that provides real-time online chat capability.

A common allegation in many professional liability claims is the lack of informed consent. Patients argue that had they known about the possibility of complications, they would have made a different decision regarding their dental treatment. One of the best ways dentists can protect themselves in these cases is by ensuring patients are armed with the facts needed to make informed decisions.

In today’s dental market, patients have more choices than ever before. High expectations and an influx of information means competition is fierce, leading to a marked shift in how practice owners attract and retain patients. Long gone are the days when patients chose their dentist based on static provider directories, word-of-mouth or the Yellow Pages. Today, consumers are highly connected and able to research online reviews, ratings and guides prior to making a dental or health care choice.

Many patients suffer from dental anxiety and they all have their own ways of addressing their unease. Anxiety management techniques run the gamut, from conscious sedation to deep breathing to simply toughing it out. Sometimes patients use alcohol or drugs to relax. Whether they turn to the bottle to ease anxiety or simply enjoy a three-martini lunch, dentists are left with the uncomfortable dilemma of whether to provide treatment.

Something is always happening at The Spot Educational Theater at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry. In addition to offering convention attendees a place to sit and rest their feet, charge their phones and catch up on activity at the Social Hub, The Spot hosts free one-hour lectures every hour on the hour beginning at 9 a.m., with the last lecture at 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at noon Saturday.

It demonstrates airway and breathing complications, comes with a host of cardiac and circulation features, offers IV and intraosseous access, can respond to medical interventions — from nasotracheal intubation to surgical cricothyrotomy — and it talks back and is completely wireless. It’s the SimMan — and this August at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco, the dentist and entire dental team will have an opportunity to train with the high-fidelity simulation mannequin.

There’s a reasonable assumption that calling a dental plan about a payment dispute will resolve the dispute. We’d all like to think this works more often than it actually does, but the reality is that informal calls to dental plans about payment or other issues the dental practice is having with a dental plan may not quickly lead to resolution.

More than 400 companies will showcase new technology and dental innovations in exhibit halls on the first and second levels of Moscone West for CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry Aug. 24-26 in San Francisco. Convention-only pricing is available. Highlighted here are just a handful of the new products, including two from first-time CDA Presents exhibitors, that attendees can expect to discover in San Francisco.

Managing overhead expenses might not be a skill dentists learn about in dental school, but it is a necessity for running a successful practice. Practice owners don’t always realize just how much their overhead costs add up and how high the real cost of doing business can be. A thorough evaluation of overhead efficiency can significantly reduce costs, increase revenue and streamline operations — in practices of every model and size.

In addition to advice from experts on the business side of dentistry, CDA Practice Support provides a full online library of articles, guides, templates and tools. Check out five of the most popular resources this quarter and see how they can help make running your practice easier and more efficient.

A component dental society recently notified CDA that several of its members have reported receiving invoices for products that their dental practices did not order. The invoices were billed by a California dental supply company and could be a form of small-business scam. The Federal Trade Commission calls it the “supply swindle.” Practices can take steps to stop this unlawful practice.

Patient satisfaction is the ultimate goal of any dentist and most will do whatever it takes to keep their patients happy, confident and pain-free. But what happens when a patient’s expectations are unrealistic? What if a patient is impossible to please? At what point should you say “enough is enough?”

One of the greatest draws of professional associations is the chance to be a part of something bigger. When professionals come together, their voices truly become more powerful. Cultivating this collective power is one of CDA’s long-standing goals. In fact, the association has reached the 27,000-member mark and was recognized by the ADA in four key areas.

Now more than ever, patients are demanding discretionary dental treatments. Where just a few decades ago dentistry was seen primarily as an avenue to better oral health, it is now seen as a way to improve quality of life.

It demonstrates airway and breathing complications, comes with a host of cardiac and circulation features, offers IV and intraosseous access, can respond to medical interventions — from nasotracheal intubation to surgical cricothyrotomy — and it talks back and is completely wireless. It’s the SimMan — and this August at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco, the dentist and entire dental team will have an opportunity to train with the high-fidelity simulation mannequin.

Arriving in time for holiday reading, the July Journal of the California Dental Association spotlights a variety of topics including hemifacial spasms, trigeminal neuropathic pain and malpractice claims and attendant laws. An ePub version is available for reading on mobile devices.

CDA’s newest subsidiary, The Dentists Service Company, officially launched its services to CDA members this month. TDSC was established to support dentists with the business side of dentistry, specializing in practice management advising and group purchasing services. “We are thrilled that TDSC services are now available to our members,” said CDA President Clelan Ehrler, DDS, MS.

Effective March 1, 2017, all single-occupancy restrooms in any business establishment, place of public accommodation or government agency must be identified as "all gender" and be universally accessible. The Equal Restroom Access Act applies to toilet facilities with no more than one water closet and one urinal and with a locking mechanism controlled by the user. Employers and practice owners should change signage used for single-user restrooms to comply with the law.

Offering health care reimbursement benefits for employees used to be commonplace; however, with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, these arrangements are no longer lawful. Employers who fail to meet the insurance reform requirements and continue this practice could face penalties of up to $100 per day for each affected individual. Now, this is changing with the new Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement.

A popular workshop at CDA PresentsThe Art and Science of Dentistry that uses cone beam computed tomography to preview and identify head and neck anatomy prior to and during dissection will return to the San Francisco convention this fall — with an added element. Joining Homayon Asadi, DDS, and David Hatcher, DDS, as a lecturer will be Nancy Appelblatt, MD, for a new focus on temporomandibular joint dysfunction and airway-related anatomy and disorders.

The Dentists Insurance Company reports an increase in calls to the Risk Management Advice Line regarding heated political debates erupting in the office among both staff and patients. Today’s political climate is more tumultuous than ever, reaching a level of polarization that often spills into daily interactions. Individuals on all sides are emboldened to share their viewpoints. But like the holiday dinner table, a dental office is no place for political or religious discussions.

The transition from dental student to practicing dentist can be one of the most stressful periods in an aspiring dentist’s life. Finishing classes, preparing for exams and applying for jobs can unnerve even the most well-prepared graduate. Luckily, CDA is here to help dentists at all stages of their careers with the business side of their profession.

Practice owners who have questions about dismissing a patient, giving a refund or terminating an employee are not alone. The Dentists Insurance Company reports these are the top three risk management issues facing dentists today. In fact, these issues make up the majority of calls received through the Risk Management Advice Line. Following are real-life calls and recommendations offered by TDIC RM analysts.

Emergency preparedness can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. Well-trained staff and clear emergency protocols are essential, as are regularly performed drills to ensure expediency should an emergency occur. But one of the simplest ways to prevent an emergency from becoming a tragedy is a well-stocked and up-to-date emergency kit.

Members can rely on CDA Practice Support for assistance in navigating the business side of dentistry with ease. Toward this goal, Practice Support experts in the areas of dental benefits, regulatory compliance, practice management, human resources and employment law work throughout the year to draft, update and publish resources that currently number over 400. Locating these resources on cda.org is easy.

A survey by the organization indicates that individuals have a “three in 10 chance of suffering a disabling illness or injury that would keep them out of work for three months or more during their career.” With this in mind, during Disability Insurance Awareness Month in May, The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC) encourages dental professionals to take steps to protect their earnings and their practices should unforeseen events occur.

Dental practice owners and office managers can feel overwhelmed by the number, purpose and complexity of reports that their practice management software generates. CDA Practice Support is responding to calls from members by offering a free one-hour lecture at CDA Presents The Art of Science and Dentistry in Anaheim to help practice owners and office managers review eight key reports to evaluate successes and identify inefficiencies within the practice.

The May Journal of the California Dental Association focuses on a variety of topics including a review of literature on the complication of IC therapy, dentistry’s role in managing the antibiotic resistance problem through the appropriate use of antibiotics and an evaluation of information available on the management of traumatically intruded permanent teeth.

All too often, patients fail to follow treatment recommendations due to expense, putting their oral health at risk. In addition, dentists sometimes make their treatment recommendations based on what a patient’s insurance plan will cover. The Dentists Insurance Company reports calls to the Risk Management Advice Line from dentists whose patients have refused care based on the cost. While budgetary limitations are certainly a reality of life, dentists are advised to proceed with caution when allowing patients to dictate care.

Dental products and services from nearly 600 companies will fill 130,000 square feet of exhibit hall space at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry this May at the Anaheim Convention Center. And many exhibiting companies will launch new products at the meeting. Dentists and their team members will want to explore the exhibit hall to take a first look at the latest technological innovations. Read here about a few of them.

A strong relationship between the front and back office is a great value to every practice, yet it is often difficult to cultivate. How staff interacts with the patients is just as important as how staff interacts with each other. Learn how to bridge the gap between the front and back office at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in Anaheim. “The Winning Team — Front and Back Office” takes place Saturday, May 6, at The Spot on the exhibit hall floor.

“Your Guide to California Dental Practice Act Compliance” was updated in January 2017 to reflect new laws concerning adverse event reporting, scope of practice, required language in the anesthesia informed consent form, online advertising through Groupon, notice of licensure, prescriber dispensing of controlled substances and several other areas of practice.

CDA has created a new online resource guide to help dentists meet requirements and follow best practices when prescribing opioids for the treatment of patients' dental pain. This resource is CDA's latest in ongoing efforts to address and combat California's opioid epidemic and ensure members have the most up-to-date information to maintain compliance in the dental practice.

Imagine taking your car to the shop for a minor repair — say, to replace the spark plugs or patch a tire. Now, imagine picking your car up at the end of the day to discover that your engine has been completely rebuilt — and you’re responsible for the bill. This scenario would be unlikely to occur in the auto repair industry, but it happens all too often in the dental industry, leaving broken trust, unhappy patients and disputed bills in its wake.

Technology is advancing quickly here in the 21st century. As a result, dentists should take steps to upgrade the technological capabilities of their practices with internet access, up-to-date software and computers or they could be left behind. Without an ability to get online, or without the most up-to-date software, some regulatory resources are impossible or difficult to use.

Under AB 2235, the pediatric anesthesia bill signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last September, dentists are required to obtain written informed consent from the parent or legal guardian of a minor patient prior to administration of general anesthesia or conscious sedation. As part of this requirement, the written informed consent form must contain new, specific language.

A new mobile app released in mid-January by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can assist dental facilities in monitoring their compliance with recommended infection control practices. The CDC DentalCheck app can be used to ensure adequate supplies and appropriate infection prevention policies are in place, such as proper training and education of staff.

CURES 1.0 will be discontinued on Sunday, March 5, 2017. The departments of Consumer Affairs and Justice have announced that beginning March 6 prescribing health care practitioners will only be able to access CURES 2.0. To securely access CURES 2.0, dentists will need to update their web browsers as specified.

Collections is one of the most crucial and challenging aspects of practice management. Using a collections protocol is a basic first step in addressing unpaid balances, but if phone calls and letters go unanswered, a dentist is faced with the dilemma of whether to turn the account over to a collection agency. TDIC advises dentists to carefully consider the pros and cons of such an action.

Today the reach of consumers’ opinions can extend past family and friends to the web, where review sites allow a reach that is likely immeasurable. Dentists should take note of a Google update launched in mid-September that pulls business reviews from other websites and displays those reviews in the “knowledge panel” — a box of information that appears on the right side of Google search results.

The National Cyber Security Alliance cites a surprising statistic: 60 percent of small businesses will close within six months of a cyberattack. And cybercriminals are more frequently targeting small businesses and organizations, which were once considered a lesser target. Now, cybercriminals exploit small businesses to gain access to bigger businesses through the distribution chain or payment portals.

Whether an old flame or a disloyal friend, choosing to accept someone back into one’s life can be a difficult decision. But what about accepting dismissed patients back into the practice? Do they deserve a second chance? The answer is: It depends. According to The Dentists Insurance Company, in some cases, such as noncompliance, accepting a dismissed patient back to the practice can lay the groundwork for a liability claim. But in other cases, the answer isn’t so clear.

A new FAQ from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights clarifies that a business associate cannot prevent a HIPAA-covered entity’s access to protected health information maintained by the business associate (for or on behalf of the covered entity) unless provided for within a contract.

Relying on memory alone to recount business assets is an exercise in futility. While most dentists have a general idea what they own and how much it’s worth, not all have a thorough, detailed inventory of their office contents. Unfortunately, failing to document all items of value can lead to a shortage of insurance coverage should a loss occur.

Under SB 137, which went into effect July 1, dentists contracted with dental plans must respond to a plan’s request for accurate directory information within 30 days or face payment delays, reimbursement reductions or termination of their participating provider agreement.

Under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, participating Denti-Cal providers may receive up to $63,750 in incentive payments for implementing an electronic health record system and eventually achieving “meaningful use.” The program will close to new registrants on Dec. 31, and any dentist who has not started in the incentive program will lose the opportunity to claim those dollars.

The ADA Council on Access, Prevention, and Interprofessional Relations recommends a free online educational program to equip oral health care professionals with the knowledge, skills and awareness to best deliver oral health services to all patients, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

When it comes to missed opportunities in small businesses, one cannot blame small business owners if, as the saying goes, “they don’t know what they don’t know.” When the small business owner is a dentist, a couple of common areas of missed opportunity include new patient experience and retention of active patients.

Legislation signed by Gov. Brown resolves a longstanding conflict concerning whether health care providers’ use of online marketing companies to advertise health care services constitutes fee splitting or payment for referrals, both of which are prohibited under state law.

Under a new law, all applicants licensed by the Dental Board of California are required to submit their email address to the board effective July 1. The board plans to contact licensed dentists annually to confirm that their email addresses on file are correct.

Attend a seminar on Oct. 21 to tap into a 360° approach to practice ownership. Free to CDA members, this comprehensive dental seminar will offer dentists strategies for starting, buying or selling a practice.

The Kids’ Healthy Mouths campaign has partnered again with Scholastic to offer resources for parents to reinforce their children’s good teeth-brushing habits. Dentists can visit or direct parents to Scholastic’s Healthy Teeth webpage for a list of recommended books about brushing along with downloadable bilingual materials.

As the dental marketplace continues to change, hiring associates and having a multidentist practice is increasingly more common. CDA Practice Support frequently receives inquiries from members regarding how to correctly bill for associate dentists providing treatment in their practice.

Covered California, California's health insurance marketplace for the federal Affordable Care Act, has released some of the participating dental plans for the 2017 benefit year. Covered California's open enrollment period for 2017 coverage begins on Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 31, 2017.

Now, in one handy place, CDA members can find the details, deadlines and resources they need to ensure their dental practice is in compliance with upcoming laws and regulations. On the main Practice Support webpage, the new “Are You in Compliance” section lists laws and regulations that dental practices will need to comply with.

A lecture will be held at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco to help dentists navigate the professional responsibilities and regulatory requirements of pain management and opioid diversion.

As part of a contractual commitment the dental benefit plans have with their consumers (employer groups and their employees), the plans are required to have a claims utilization review and audit process.

The goal for most practice owners is to send out as few billing statements as possible. This goal correlates with setting strong payment and collections policies and making sure staff is adhering to those rules, according to CDA Practice Advisor Sarah Gargani.

The first step to better efficiency in a dental practice is staying on a budget. Dentists, as small-business owners, need to make sure their practices are successful and, as health care providers, need to be able to provide care to their patient base.

The August Journal of the California Dental Association recognizes the work of young dental researchers and their mentors. This issue features a study that aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of several alkaloids against Candida albicans in vitro and to determine the cytotoxicity on oral fibroblast cells.

A check of the state’s prescription drug monitoring program may become mandatory under a proposed bill requiring prescribers, including dentists with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registrations, to check the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System when writing a prescription for Schedule II-IV medications.

Drama in the workplace creates an energy-draining work environment that no one enjoys. In the dental office, gossip can run at high levels if the owner dentist has not set standards and policies that prohibit this type of behavior.

Effective July 1, a new law requires dental plans to comply with uniform standards and provide timely updates — including changes in practice address, license number, etc. — to their provider directories. The intent of the new law, SB 137, is to provide patients with more accurate and complete information regarding providers participating in the plan’s provider network.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, and it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Check out the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

SB 137 requires dental plans to comply with uniform standards and provide timely updates for their provider directories and there are two numbers you need to know to ensure compliance with the new law that goes into effect July 1 — 30 and five. The goal of this legislation and resulting regulations is to provide patients with more accurate information to identify which dentists are participating with their dental plan.

CDA recently hosted a webinar, presented by the Department of Justice, to assist member dentists with the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES 2.0) registration process and any questions they may have regarding the new system.

CDA is hosting a webinar, presented by the Department of Justice, on May 25 to assist member dentists with the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES 2.0) registration process and any questions they may have regarding the new system.

A single lot of Sensorcaine, which is often used in the injection for local or regional anesthesia in oral surgery, has been recalled. The recall was announced by Fresenius Kabi USA after an inspection of reserve samples revealed a particulate could block administration of the drug to the patient. This could cause a delay in therapy, result in local inflammation and mechanical disruption of tissue or immune response to the particulate.

With summer approaching, parents will be looking for family activities to keep children busy. This is a perfect time for dentists to host a patient appreciation event or participate in some local family-friendly events. Participating in an event can be an educational experience for those who attend. It provides an opportunity for dentists to connect with their community and let potential patients know about their practice.

Managing the ins and outs of running a business and keeping track of changing state laws can be a challenge for many small-business owners, including dentists. CDA Practice Support offers clarity to its member dentists by providing resources and addressing issues, like overtime pay and implementing an alternative workweek for employees, which can be difficult to navigate.

A law created by Senate Bill 137 goes into effect on July 1 and requires all health plans to maintain accurate provider directories. This law requires dentists contracted with dental plans to respond to a plan’s request for accurate directory information within 30 days or face payment delays, reimbursement reductions or, ultimately, termination of their participating provider agreement.

The May issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association addresses a number of general topics including the use of bioceramic materials in vital pulp therapy, which is devised to preserve and maintain vitality of pulpally involved teeth challenged by a variety of intraoral conditions.

Between the recruiting strategy, interviewing and training, there is a lot that goes into hiring a new employee in a dental practice. However, a key piece of the process happens before any of that. Developing a good job description happens even before a position is open. Every current employee should have an updated, accurate job description for their duties in the practice.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, and it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Check out the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to ban the use of most powdered gloves, including powdered surgeon’s gloves, powdered patient examination gloves and absorbable powder for lubricating a surgeon’s glove.

Beginning July 1, a new law will take effect requiring dental plans to comply with uniform standards and provide timely updates (practice address, license number, etc.) to their provider directories. The intent of the new law, SB 137, is to provide patients with more accurate and complete information as to which providers are participating in the plan's provider network.

The April issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association features articles on performance measurement, quality measurement and quality improvement tools and mechanisms that can assist health professionals in their ongoing commitment to improve patient care, enhance professionalism and demonstrate accountability.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, and it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Below are the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has extended the deadline for dentists to either enroll as a Medicare Part D "ordering/referring provider" or opt out of the Medicare program entirely. The previous deadline was June 1, but it has now been extended to Feb. 1, 2017.

For a new dentist, the associateship is an excellent opportunity to experience patient relationships, treatment planning, case presentation, accurate record keeping, and interaction with a team without practice ownership. A written associate agreement creates a "win-win" opportunity for both the potential associate and the practice owner.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, and it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Here are the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

CDA has learned from members and a state agency that dentists have been contacted by a national waste management service company that is providing misinformation about regulatory requirements. The calls claim that dentists must register with the California Department of Public Health as a "hazardous waste generator," or that dental practices must comply with "new" regulations specifically for pharmaceutical waste.

When a patient requests copies of his or her dental records, there are steps every dental practice should take to ensure that the request is handled properly, even when someone other than the patient requests the records. CDA Practice Support’s resource Access to Patient Records FAQ contains important information for practices to know about patient record requests and adhering to privacy regulations as outlined in HIPAA.

With each New Year comes an opportunity to make changes personally and professionally. For dentists, they may want to make some alterations to the way their practice operates to improve the experience for both their staff and patients. CDA Practice Support has offered some goals dentists could adopt as their New Year's resolutions for their practices.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, and it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Here are the top 10 CDA Practice Support resources of 2015 in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

Based on guidelines from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a “like” on Facebook could be considered an endorsement. CDA recommends dentists avoid incentivizing positive endorsements so as not to be in violation of FTC regulations.

In collaboration with pharmacy colleagues, authors of the November issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association present the most current information on pain management in dentistry. This issue includes timely information relative to opioid medication regulations and abuse.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, and it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Here are the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources in October in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

In April, Trevor Thorn, DDS, purchased his first solo practice in Sonora and within the first eight months had four of his eight employees go out on disability or maternity leave. Having little experience in handling the business side of a practice when dealing with human resources issues, Thorn picked up the phone and called CDA Practice Support to get up to speed on how to properly accommodate employees who are on disability. There are countless stories just like this of CDA members.

Proper patient communication is key for a dental practice, and that begins when the patient first becomes a patient. Communicating all of the practice’s policies and expectations is vital and that is why CDA has created a member-only New Patient Forms bundle. The bundle is a comprehensive resource pertaining to the gathering of information from the new patient. Dentists can implement the seven forms included in the bundle collectively or utilize them in an “a la carte” fashion if the practice has some, but not all, of the forms already in place.

Embezzlement is typically defined as the theft of money or property by a person trusted with those assets. It usually occurs in employment settings, and small businesses suffer more losses from fraud than larger organizations. Dentists may inadvertently put their practices at risk for fraud by trusting a single employee with sole financial responsibility or by not reviewing accounts payable and receivable. However, this vulnerability can be reduced through awareness of “red flag” behaviors and a few key accounting protections.

The goal for most practice owners is to send out as few billing statements as possible. This goal correlates with setting strong payment policies and adhering to those rules. However, when a patient is unable to pay at the time of service, despite the practice’s efforts to communicate the payment policies, the practice should be prepared with an alternative method. But before it gets to this point, there are steps dental practices can take to improve their collections process.

Many offices ask the age-old question, “How did we miscalculate our budget at year’s end?” Basically, “Where did the money go?” Proper organization and tracking back office expenses can help answer these questions. CDA Practice Support has put together five suggestions to help dentists systemize their practice and prevent confusion.

There are three remaining opportunities for dentists to attend the fall 2015 lineup of TDIC's Risk Management seminar, Beyond the Science: Patient Emotions in Dentistry. TDIC is offering the seminar to help dentists correctly identify and handle patients who exhibit dental fear. Beyond the Science: Patient Emotions in Dentistry presents real case studies to dentists and staff members to help them recognize when, and how, to dismiss a patient without placing them at risk; establish trust in the doctor-patient relationship to encourage treatment compliance; create office protocols to instill confidence in the dentist and staff.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, and it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Here are the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

Brad Newman, a leader in marketing and business development for dental offices, spoke to CDA Update staff during CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco about how dentists can best market themselves online using a variety of social media sites. Newman discussed how to maintain a social media conversation that is "fresh, likeable and targeted for the right audience" and shared five social media tips for dental practices.

Panoramic Corporation has issued a voluntary recall of certain PC-1000 panoramic X-ray machines due to a potential problem with its lift motor, "which can result in severe injury to a patient or staff member." Panoramic Corporation sent certified letters to owners who are on record as having purchased one of the machines.

Dental practices now must obtain authorization from a patient to call him or her on his or her cellphone to discuss account and insurance information, according to a recent ruling. A July 10 order by the Federal Communications Commission, interpreting a rule it promulgated in 2013, is cause for CDA to advise dental practices to ensure their policies and procedures for communications using patients’ cellphone numbers is in compliance with the law.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, and it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Here are the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

Dentists consider the use of video surveillance cameras in their practices for any number of reasons. For William Gilbert, DDS, his cameras helped catch a thief that stole from his employees right out of the staff lounge.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, as it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Here are the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources this month in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

When new patients call a practice, it is typically with the hope of identifying their new dentist. They want someone who is confident and competent guiding them through their first appointment, explaining benefits and framing their next appointment effectively. Most likely, they are still looking for a dentist because they have not found an office that has been able to accomplish this. When it comes to communication, dentists and their staff need to be ready to confidently anticipate and manage the patient’s expectations.

Medical/dental necessity will always be the rationale for most dental care, but medical/dental necessity may not be the basis of how plans pay. Dentists often wonder what the top reasons are for claims being denied. Here are some simple reasons why.

CDA is making dentists aware of an issue that is occurring with license renewal notices being sent in the mail. A member recently notified CDA that she received her renewal notice in an envelope that had a return address for the “Bureau of Automotive Repair,” and nearly disposed of the unopened envelope. Subsequently, CDA confirmed that some notices might have been sent out by accident with the wrong return address.

Over the last year, CDA has heard from its members about a scam involving other individuals filing tax returns under members’ names. Other health professionals have reported being targeted as well. The Internal Revenue Service is in the process of taking steps to combat this type of activity.

In today’s market, patients have become extremely busy, and “emergency appointments” have become more common. Therefore, every dental office should design and implement their own “emergency protocol” and customize it to accommodate the changing patient landscape.

CDA is constantly looking for new ways to support members in their practices and has created a new subsidiary called The Dentists Service Company (TDSC), which has been approved by the CDA House of Delegates.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, as it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Here are the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources this month in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

Navigating the dynamic world of dental benefits is key to managing a smart practice. The Dental Benefits Workshop provides participants the opportunity to earn 12 C.E. credits during a two-day, in-person seminar. They will learn how to analyze and evaluate existing dental plan performance in their offices while getting hands-on experience from industry experts on how to navigate the world of dental benefits.

Mireya Ortega, DDS, thought she had taken all of the necessary steps in the insurance approval and billing process for her patient. But despite doing everything according to the insurance policy standard she was sent a letter in the mail informing her she needed to return all of the money she had received for the treatment because the patient in fact did not have coverage. That is when she called CDA Practice Support.

Employee discipline is one of the hardest, but necessary, components of practice ownership and employing staff. It's human nature to avoid confrontation. As a leader, it's important to set the ground rules from the first day of employment. Creating an atmosphere of collaboration, mutual respect and trust early on can reap long-term rewards for the employee, the dentist as the employer and ultimately the practice.

Registration for the new fall 2015 lineup of TDIC’s Risk Management seminar, Beyond the Science: Patient Emotions in Dentistry, is now open. Beyond the Science: Patient Emotions in Dentistry presents real case studies to dentists and staff members to help them recognize when, and how, to dismiss a patient without placing them at risk; establish trust in the doctor-patient relationship to encourage treatment compliance; create office protocols to instill confidence in the dentist and staff.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease, as it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Here are the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources this month in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

Attendees of CDA’s recent Dental Benefits Workshop at the CDA headquarters in Sacramento had the opportunity to earn C.E. credits while learning how to analyze and evaluate existing dental plan contract performance in their practices. The more than 70 people, including dentists and staff from 40 practices, who attended the April 16-17 event earned up to 12 hours of C.E. and improved their skills in analyzing and evaluating the dental benefit marketplace.

Richard Young, DDS, is an expert in dental photography. He co-directs Loma Linda University School of Dentistry's D3 esthetics program. Young also practices full time, focusing on esthetic dentistry. In this video, he provides some tips on how dentists and the dental staff can improve their dental photography.

CDA reminds dentists who write controlled substance prescriptions that they must ensure their tamper-resistant forms are up-to-date. CDA has learned prescriptions are being rejected by pharmacies because the forms do not include all of the required elements. One of those required elements is that tamper-resistant forms used for controlled substance prescriptions must have the prescriber’s address preprinted on them.

Many dental practices, because of their small size, may not be required to provide benefits to employees under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act. However, there may be other laws that do apply to employee leave. We have listed the four types of leaves for baby bonding/pregnancy that dentists and their staff should be aware of as well as a description of who is eligible and the amount of leave available under each type.

Each dental office should have an implementation strategy that includes a vision of how they will offer their services to diverse populations. In California, many patients enter a dental practice with Spanish being their only language, and the dentist and staff should have resources available to effectively communicate with those patients. CDA now has available a patient health history form that has been translated in Spanish for patients of a dental practice. Dental practices can print out the form and use it in their offices.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease as it is chock-full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. Here are the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources this month in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

In the fourth part of a CDA Presents Speaker Spotlight series highlighting the various topics that will be covered at CDA Presents in Anaheim, CDA Update staff spoke with Alex Fleury DDS, MS, the director of educational resources for Real World Endodontics. Fleury will be lecturing in Anaheim about "new horizons in endodontics."

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease as it is chock full of valuable resources to help them run their practices. We've compiled the top five trending CDA Practice Support resources this month in the categories of practice management, employment practices, dental benefit plans and regulatory compliance.

CDA has included information in its new 2015 Sample Employee Manual that dentists can use to notify their employees about the changes to the paid sick leave law in California. The new law, which takes effect on July 1, requires nearly every employer in California to allow all of its employees at least three paid sick days each year.

A dental practice welcomes many people through its doors with different backgrounds and ethnicities. It is important for the dentist and staff to understand different communication methods. Each dental office should have an implementation strategy that has a vision of how they will offer their services to a diverse population.

New to CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in Anaheim is a C.E. lecture series that provides the entire dental team an opportunity to learn about topics that relate specifically to their role within the practice. The “360 Experience” is a full-day C.E. program hosted by four industry-leading, nationally recognized speakers on Friday, May 1.

Further solidifying Yelp’s ability to continue to conduct its current method of review filtering, a subject that has long been a concern of dentists, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has dropped a review of its practices brought by complaints from small-business owners. This is the second time such an investigation of Yelp has been dropped by the FTC.

Dentists who are buying/building a practice, or simply interested in learning how to maximize their practice’s value, can attend CDA Practice Support’s “Buying or Starting a Practice – What You Need to Know” seminars. The seminars will feature a unique panel of experts representing various fields within the dental arena to provide dentists with the knowledge they need to take the next steps in their dental careers.

The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs has found that for patients with prosthetic joint implants, the use of prophylactic antibiotics, or antibiotics administered to prevent the risk of infection, are not recommended prior to dental procedures to prevent prosthetic joint infection (PJI). An updated ADA clinical practice guideline published in the January issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) confirms this position.

CDA Update staff spoke with Gary Zelesky, who has been presenting motivational messages to audiences for 30 years. For the last 15 years, he has been speaking to dentistry audiences around the world, from England to Australia. Zelesky is known for including energy and humor in his presentations and will be leading four lectures at CDA Presents. CDA Presents the Art and Science of Dentistry in Anaheim is expected to attract more than 25,000 attendees April 30-May 2, and one of the biggest draws is the unique lineup for lectures and workshops.

Oftentimes, a dentist will have a particular staff member or patient they just can’t seem to connect with. A certain task or treatment isn’t accepted and it can cause frustration with the dentist. While in some cases this may be a result of being confrontational and having difficulty with acceptance, it can also happen because of a generational gap.

Dentists are busy in their day-to-day work providing the best care they can to patients. With that comes the need to run an effective business and understand practice management, regulations, budgets, marketing and more. CDA provides members with two services to help with this aspect of owning a dental practice.

CDA Practice Support is designed to help dentists navigate the business side of dentistry with ease. The free member benefit is chock-full of valuable resources to help dentists do everything from start a new practice to create their own employee manual. There’s even insight to help them choose the right dental benefit plans. Check out the top 10 CDA Practice Support resources of 2014 available to members for free.

The end of the year is a good time for dental practices to evaluate how they did over the last year and prepare for next year. As part of CDA's Practice Advising, which is an in-office consulting service designed to provide dentists guidance on reaching their individual business goals, a dentist can receive an in-office visit from an advisor. The advisor will help the practice get an idea of its production in the past and how it may need to adjust things moving forward.

There are many advertising options for dental practices to use as a way to keep current patients and bring new patients in. One way dentists can do this is through a patient loyalty program where patients earn “points” in exchange for gift cards or other rewards for keeping appointments, brushing and flossing regularly, etc. Dentists participating in such a program must make sure they are staying within the guidelines of the law and CDA ethical standards, however. The CDA Judicial Council reminds dentists that problems arise in a patient loyalty program when points are earned and prizes are given for patient referrals.

EMV (Europay / MasterCard / Visa) will eventually replace the magnetic stripe on credit cards that has been the standard in the United States since 1960, and dental practices should be ready for this transition. Credit card issuers began issuing cards with EMV chips in 2013. Processors were next, requiring them to have the technology in place to accept merchants who were utilizing EMV transactions by April 2013. Acceptance of EMV will not technically be mandated for practices that accept credit or debit cards, but a shift in fraud liability begins October 2015.

Technology in dentistry, like in many other professions, continues to evolve. From new CAD/CAM systems, to intraoral imaging, to iPad integration — the world of dentistry constantly adds new options for practices. One key aspect of this technology shift is the prevalence of new dental software, and a recent study delved into the purchasing habits of dentists in that realm.

Subleasing space in a dental practice has become a popular trend for young dentists looking to test out success rates in specific geographical areas and cut down on their expenses until they get to a point in their careers when they can build out a dental office or purchase their own practice. "Shared space" agreements can get quite complex, and in these agreements, it is important for the dentist on the lease (sublessor) and the dentist who wants to use the space for a limited period of time (sublessee) to make sure the proper written agreements and consents are in place.

Dentists have often disagreed with the business model of Yelp, but a new court ruling further protects the online rating website in how it handles its marketing tactics. Specifically, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has ruled that it is legal for Yelp to manipulate its rating system to sell advertising, even though the company claims it does not currently do so.

Parag R. Kachalia, DDS, an associate professor and the vice chair of Simulation, Technology and Research at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, held a lecture titled “An Overview of New Technology and Materials Changing Dentistry” on Sept. 5 during CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco. Kachalia sat down with CDA staff at Dugoni School of Dentistry’s new campus in San Francisco to discuss how technology is changing dentistry and how dentists can make the transition to the digital age.

Edward Zuckerberg, DDS, knows a thing or two about social media and technology trends. If not for his time spent at the NYU College of Dentistry in the 70s and during his practicing years researching new technology and purchasing one of the first Atari and IBM computers, but also his family ties – he is the father of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg. In fact, Mark created his first social network at age 12 in his dad’s dental office, long before Facebook. His dad, Edward, recently lectured on social media strategy for dentists at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco.